Director of Prisons Welton Trotz has been relieved of his duties, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan said yesterday.
Trotz was arraigned in court on Thursday on a charge that he sexually assaulted a female prison guard.
Following Trotz’ arraignment, there has been conflicting reports as to whether he stepped down voluntarily or was fired as a result of the alleged criminal act.
Contacted yesterday, Ramjattan said Trotz did not resign. “I terminated him by granting him a month’s salary in lieu of notice,” he told Stabroek News.
Trotz pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court 5 and he was released on $100,000 bail.
When asked if he had anything to say in relation to the allegations, Trotz said, “I have nothing to say. May God bless those who are against me.”
The proceedings were held in camera and therefore no details of the case against Trotz were made public. Trotz is expected to make his next court appearance on October 27th, when the matter will be heard by Chief Magis-trate Ann McLennan.